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Maria Kharenkova at the European Championships

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'Veteran' junior, now first year senior, Maria is participating in her first major senior competition this week.  There are some fabulous pictures on the RGF website of her, her team mates and the coaches.

Words are one thing.  Much has been said about the participation of Mustafina, the prospects of Russia's young team in competition against the experienced Romanians, and those absent through injury.  It's clear that in medal terms, there is little pressure on this team to perform.

The pictures speak of another reality.  The tense expectations of Russia's elite have been replaced by the optimistic efforts of a new generation.  The coaches are seen to be encouraging, supporting and involved.  The team appears to be working happily.  Three members of the senior team - Mustafina, Kharenkova and Sosnitskaya - have their personal coaches here with them.  The roster of personal coaches travelling to a competition is often a measure of which gymnasts are expected to do the best.  In Sosnitskaya's case, her coach Maria Ulyankina is also responsible for junior Seda Tutkhalyan.

I have chosen to feature Maria here as she promises much as the emerging star of this Russian team.  But all the gymnasts have something special about them - the mischievous twinkle of Rodionova, Spiridinova looking happy and confident; pretty, hardworking Sosnitskaya.  Mustafina, as ever, is mesmerising.   There are lovely pictures of all the team members - pay a visit to the RGF site if you want to see them all (www.sportgymrus.ru).  I will post highlights on RRG's Facebook page also, later today.

The junior team and qualifying competition begins today.  Good luck to all the participants!




Maria with head coaches Grebyonkin and Rodionenko


With her personal coach from her hometown of Rostov on Don, Olga Sagina








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